I don't like that idea of laying anything on the shingles . Could you possibly put three more upright beams near the eaves with a cross bean to suport the 2x6's . just like you show on the outer edge.That way you dont even have to have your wood even touch the shingles .. Just have to have the uprights a tad decorated , maybe a vine growing up them ..

John, I'm limited on height for a few reasons - the ledgers are already up (deck is in a corner of the house), I've got windows underneath the deck and a doorway above, and if the joists (and beam) get too low the patio underneath will be unusable. I definitely see your point about things being too wet under the decking, but it seems like you would have the same issue with a torchdown roof - with the draped troughs I would think water would more easily be shed since it would flow to the middle of the trough and then drain out (water is less spread out than with a planar slope underneath). I've seen deckman22 suggest using sheet metal under the deck as a roof, but after searching the archives haven't been able to find his full explanation of how to do so. I've also considered using corrugated plastic under the joists screwed to a series of crosswise, graduated-in-size stringers. That way there would be air movement all the way around the joists. I apologize for beating a dead horse, it's just that I hadn't seen anyone post about the draped-type underdeck roofing before.

They probably replaced the stairs because they were in disrepair and they replaced them before putting their house on the market. Same with the railing cap on the RH side. Don't worry, the new wood will quickly age and look like the old wood. :-) However, my concern would be that the new wood looks like regular lumber, not pressure treated wood. That won't last long outdoors. In any case, if you want them to match more closely NOW, then pressure wash the old deck and stain the whole kit & caboodle. Moving on to a cover: it looks like you've got plenty of shade from the trees. Why do you need additional deck cover? Bottom of deck: Are you trying to cover up the support posts or the ground below the deck? If the former, then plants and skirting are your options. Lattice isn't the only option for skirting. Google "deck skirting" and you'll see different styles. If the latter, then you just need to distract the eye. First, fill the underneath with pea gravel, which is a little more appealing than dirt. Then plant some colorful flowers in beds around the edge.

lol, we took out the concrete pavers and proper level them. Each spring, the IPE tiles are making some noise in the beginning, then it's muted. I have other things to worry about, a new house construction to plan for the next 2 years, so I am ok with it. If you find anything let me know please.